February 2012
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Scientists Build a 'Perfect' Single-Atom... →
Scientists from the University of New South Wales have created a single-atom transistor using a repeatable technique — a world first. Using a scanning-tunneling microscope (STM), the scientists were able to precisely manipulate hydrogen atoms around a phosphorus atom on a silicon waf…
January 2012
6 posts
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My co-advisor Dr. Michielsen (is awesome!) →
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Stealth Paint!
Perhaps this is a little much, but… that’s me!
I obviously love Wonder Woman, but have always be slightly skeptical of her invisible plane. Now through magic science it is possible!
If you’ve ever studied any color theory, dye chemistry, physics, or photography you know a true black is hard to achieve. There two types of color (hang in with me here). First Subtractive color,...
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December 2011
9 posts
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Ballin'
As you may have noticed, it is almost the New Year! Which means it’s time to wear something stylish and fancy, top it with a paper hat, drink bubbly, and yell numbers at a TV set. Yep. The Times Square Ball drop is right around the corner. In the spirit of thematic posts, here we go.
(workers constructing the 2008 ball, NY Daily News)
The first ball drop was in 1907, made of iron and...
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Polymers from the future/ silhouettes from the...
I’m basically thrilled about these rain coats from TERRA; fashion and function?! Prove it. TERRA’s outerwear is designed for urbanites and bikers to go about their business not looking like drowned rats, a significant feat to be sure. The designs are total win, so on to the science.
The most consistent points of failure in water proof outerwear are the seams, while a fabric could be...
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Wood Putty
I recently made a shelf. (no, no images, it’s not up to the demands of my perfectionist tendencies, and I will not have your opinion of me lowered by substandard carpentry.) Back to the shelf. Due to the mediocrity of my fastening system, I needed to fill some gaps, Wood Putty to the rescue! The next morning I realized, what is that crap made of?
ooooohhhh. Acrylic. But what kind of...
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Gift Guide!
If you happen to currently be shopping for gifts for friends, family, and colleagues; allow me to provide you some un-requested suggestions.
(click the image for a link to the item)
For your significant other:
3D printed semi-circular tube pendant, modeled after the nervous system!
For your Advisor:
Back of the mug: *Where the term “Best” is defined over the set {An} where...
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Thick skinned
Ok, so maybe this is old news (Oprah and Elle beat me to it) but it is right up my ally (2 different people sent me articles). Enough qualifications, check this out:
I’m quivering with amazement. That my lovely readers is a GROWN dress, grown from the pure cellulose microfibrils produced by certain bacteria during the fermentation process. The idea arose from a serendipitous conversation...
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November 2011
7 posts
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“Liquid Droplet Behavior on Yarns: Modeling of Filament Level Interaction”
– my thesis title - (in case you were wondering)
October 2011
3 posts
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September 2011
11 posts
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Who brings you the news before the Newspaper?... →
The Sucklord, whose Chinatown lair I visited for a post on toys back in December, is makin’ waves in the art world, and soon on a TV near you: in BRAVO’s Next Great Artist. (Click the title above for the link to the Village Voice article.)
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Slippery slope: researchers take advice from... →
What?! (stop copying me Harvard.)
harvardseas:
Bio-inspired coating resists liquids and could lead to a broad range of advances in fuel transport, anti-bacterial surfaces, and more
Cambridge, Mass. – September 21, 2011 – After a rain, the cupped leaf of a pitcher plant becomes a virtually frictionless surface. Sweet-smelling and elegant, the carnivore attracts ants, spiders, and even...
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MIT Media Lab
Yes, MIT Media Lab was a amazing as we had all dreamed.
The people I met there from all over the world were so overwhelmingly brilliant, I can’t wait to share them and their work with you. Also, sorry for the egregious gap in posts, blah blah, excuses excuses. Fresh posts are coming soon. My suitcase is unpacked, laundry done, and I’m back on track. -MG-
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MIT Media Lab
Guess what? I’m on a plane to headed to Boston, for an invited presentation at MIT Media Lab. (Eeeeee! Nerd freak out!) Why? Well, remember the competition I won back in the beginning of August? Yap. I’m going to present that to a group of CEO, Presidents, and fancy business-y types. They’re even providing a model, I hope tent construction is in her contract.
Anyway, I will be...
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“My uncle, on the other hand, was quite as devoted to his arsenal as to his...”
– Jules Verne, Journey to the Center of the Earth (check out my old post on Nitrocellulose)
August 2011
11 posts
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Scientists Invent Heat-Regulating Building... →
The lost of energy throughout every system is the consistent bane of green technology. Darn you thermodynamics! Hooray you Scientists!
realcleverscience:
They’ve been talking about this kind of stuff for awhile, and it’s good to hear about some major progress. This is the kind of simple, smart step that will seem real obvious in retrospect, just like smart-cars will.
RCS Highlights:
A new...
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Woodies for the environment
When I opened up Facebook and saw that I had received a question from the beautiful and talented Judith, I was ecstatic. As I continue to be.
Judith discovered some fancy man-panties and posited: “Tencel is a fiber made from the pulp of Eucalyptus trees… my favorite Materials Girl, do tell me: does this make the said underwear edible? Should these men be concerned about vicious...
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Kirei-San
I hate cleaning. Try coming home to a sink full of dishes after spending an afternoon with a beaker full of poly acrylic acid residue; unmotivated does not begin to cover it. But, you know what I do love? Chinatown! In this odd instance the two overlap, in the form of Melamine foam. That’s right, I buy my cleaning supplies (and veggies) in Chinatown. I found this gem In the basement of my...
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WatchSigh, Janine, you rock me so hard.
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